Before the eight competitors in the JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto face off for an array of prizes in an intense week of competition, they will share their talents with the patients at Oishei Children's Hospital.
The semifinalists will perform for the young patients and their families on three floors of the hospital from 4:30-5:30 p.m. today. The official kick-off reception of the competition will immediately follow. The performance celebrates the continuing collaboration between the John R. Oishei Children's Hospital and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, helping to bring culture, peace and healing to the children and families in the hospital's care through the art of music.
It also expands the community outreach mission of the Falletta Competition. Since 2008, each competition has included Guitar Day, in which the non-advancing semifinalists perform free of charge throughout Western New York at schools, assisted living facilities, hospitals and public spaces.
The 2016 competition introduced a judges' master class for classical guitar students in Western New York to the schedule, which will repeat this year.
"We're grateful to the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, JoAnn Falletta and the talented musicians who play for the moms, kids and babies in our care at Oishei Children's Hospital, said Allegra Jaros, president of the new John R. Oishei Children's Hospital. "We're fortunate to have a dedicated community partner in the BPO, which allows us to bring the healing power of music to the bedside for our patients, their families and our care providers."
"It is heart-warming to see the power of music and its ability to touch so many young people. This would not be possible without our partnership with the hospital," said BPO Music Director Falletta, who began her career as a classical guitarist.
The semifinalists represent five nations. All are at the start of their professional classical guitar careers, ranging in age from 17 to 29. The goals of the Falletta Competition, which has taken place biennially since 2004, are to help young classical guitarists launch their careers and provide them with the experience of performing with an orchestra.
The eight semifinalists will perform with an accompanist on June 6 and 7 at the WNED studios. Three will be chosen to perform with the Buffalo Philharmonic on June 9. The competition is co-presented by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and WNED | WBFO.
